The Highlands Travel Guide

Guide:

Regions & Cities:

The Highlands

Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness

The Highlands of Scotland contain some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. A timeless wonderland, where roads and railways cut through breathtaking mountain views, past the deep and mysterious lochs, through the world’s finest whisky-producing regions, and up to the highest peaks in Britain. The long and dramatic Loch Ness, a short journey from Inverness, with its mythical monster, affectionately known as ‘Nessie’, has attracted thousands over the past century, all eager to catch a glimpse. The region is rich in heritage, and has played host to many bloody battles between the proud and ancient Scottish clans. Off the coast, the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland Islands with their rugged and dramatic scenery reveal ancient settlements and unspoilt insights into the ancient history of Scotland. A visit to this highland wilderness, despite predictably unpredictable weather, ignites a very basic pleasure and can be a glorious and refreshing experience.

Resorts

See our separate guides to the following The Highlands holiday resorts: Inverness, Fort William and Isle of Skye

Attractions

Loch Ness

Loch Ness is situated in the Great Glen that links Inverness on the East coast to Fort William in the West. The most famous lake is 24 miles (39km) long, half a mile (1km) wide and 700ft (213m) deep and is home to... see full details

Northern Highlands

Beyond Inverness and the Great Glen, Scotland stretches away in a spectacular fusion of wooded glens, sweeping moors, rugged coasts, towering mountains and welcoming villages. The Northern Highlands includes both the rich farmland of the Black Isle and the precipitous sea cliffs of Cape... see full details

West Highland Railway

The West Highland Railway runs around 100 miles (161km) from Glasgow to Fort William, and then along the West coast through the remnants of the Caledonian forest, Loch Lomond, Glencoe and some of Britain's most spectacular mountain scenery and finest walking country. Passengers can... see full details

Events

Highland Games

No visit to Scotland is complete without a visit to one of the many Highland Games that take place between June and September each year. The first Highland Games were held more than a thousand years ago, prompted by clan chiefs and kings. Events covered a variety of sporting, martial and religious purposes. The Clan Chiefs used the games to recruit people - race winners made good messengers at a time when there were no proper roads. The strongest men were employed as bodyguards, and the pick of the dancers and pipers were also chosen - both to entertain and to reflect well on the clan. Men of the villages and parishes gathered annually on what was, for many, their only holiday to test their strength and ability against each other using the 'tools' of their trades. Hence throwing hammers, putting rounded stones, heaving weights and tossing tree trunks (tossing the caber) became the order of the day. Playing bagpipes and dancing were both incorporated into proceedings to give warriors heart for battles or to celebrate victories. Today all the same events take place, but it is all for entertainment and visitors are welcome to join in many of the competitions. Most towns in the Highlands hold their own games, some are larger than others, but all have the same friendly village fete atmosphere and are entertaining for adults and children alike.

Date: 18 and 19 July 2009
Website: www.invernessonline.com/ihg

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